Lord Mayor tackling illegal dumping in Brisbane

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is tackling illegal dumping in Brisbane suburbs with Council ramping up its efforts to monitor about 70 known dumping hotspots.

The Lord Mayor said 16 relocatable surveillance cameras were monitoring various locations at any one time, including targeted spots around Carindale, Kuraby, Pallara, Willawong, Murarrie and Hemmant.

“Illegal dumping is a dirty habit and I don’t tolerate it; which is why since June this year I have invested $80,000 towards installing and monitoring portable surveillance cameras to catch illegal dumpers and increased camera numbers from 2 to 16,” Cr Quirk said.

“I’m all about creating a clean and green Brisbane that everyone can enjoy, and the good news is what we’re doing is working; we’re receiving fewer complaints and we’re catching more offenders.”

Last financial year 536 complaints were received and 47 Penalty Infringement Notices were issued. This is in comparison to the 2010-2011 financial year when 792 complaints were received and 32 Penalty Infringement Notices were issued.

Cr Quirk said the portable cameras had various capabilities including night vision, could be moved to different locations and were positioned so they could not be detected or vandalised.

He said each year Council spent about $500,000 each year on cleaning up illegally-dumped waste from the side of roads, parks and green space.

“Ratepayer’s money shouldn’t have to go towards cleaning up illegally-dumped household, garden or commercial waste and it takes a lot of resources to clean up affected areas,” he said.

“During 2011-12 a total of $68,000 worth of fines were issued for illegal dumping, so its important residents make use of the proper avenues for dumping waste.”

Cr Quirk said residents were able to use the Kerbside Collection service in all suburbs, once per year, to get rid of items that didn’t fit in their wheelie-bins and were also offered five free waste and five free green waste vouchers once per year with their rates notices.

For items not accepted through the Kerbside Collection service, Council also provides four allocated days per year to drop off hazardous waste for free at Council's transfer stations, including pool chemicals, petrol, paint and gas cylinders.

Illegal dumping fines range between $400 and $1600 depending on the amount of waste:
• An individual found depositing 200L or more incurs a $1600 infringement
• An individual found depositing 20L to 200L incurs a $400 infringement
• A Corporation found depositing 20L to 200L incurs a $1600 infringement